Congestive Heart Failure

Question 1

What can be seen from a cut lung in a patient with CHF?

Answer 1

Frothy oozing liquid

Question 2

What is considered cardiomegaly?

Answer 2

The heart is considered enlarged if the transverse diameter of the heart is larger than diameter of the hemi thorax.

Question 3

What is the 1st phase of CHF?

Answer 3

Vascular Phase

Question 4

What are the characteristics of the Vascular Phase?

Answer 4

• It represents pulmonary venous hypertension.
• Cephalization: Vessels in upper chest are more
prominent as a manifestation of pulmonary venous
hypertension.

Question 5

What is the 2nd phase of CHF?

Answer 5

Interstitial Phase

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the Interstitial Phase?

Answer 6

• Kerley lines are 2-3 cm long horizontal lines in the base of lungs close to chest wall.
• They are the result of interstitial edema and increased lymphatic drainage.

Question 7

What is the 3rd phase of CHF?

Answer 7

Alveolar Phase

Question 8

What are the characteristics of the Alveolar Phase?

Answer 8

• Bilateral diffuse soft fluffy alveolar infiltrates coalescing with each other

Question 9

What is basal congestion?

Answer 9

This is gravity dependent accumulation of fluid in the lungs and alveoli are filled with fluid.

Question 10

What is the fuzzy full hilum?

Answer 10

Represents enlarged pulmonary veins and fluid around them.

Question 11

What is absent from the progression of acute left ventricular failure?

Answer 11

In acute left ventricular failure we see pulmonary edema. You do not see the vascular and interstitial phase.